The long table in the royal dining hall was laid out with heavy silver, cold porcelain, and crystal goblets that caught the warm afternoon light streaming through the high arched windows.
King Alderon sat at the head of the table, his heavy coat unbuttoned just enough to breathe comfortably after hours of dealing with state affairs. To his right sat Yerel, his fingers lightly tapping against the stem of his wine glass.
Beside Yerel sat Gillian and Iryna, while the High Priest sat opposite them, his sweeping white robes spotless and bright against the dark wood paneling.
And then there were Zarius and Cherion.
Zarius was basically playing personal bodyguard, sitting there like a dark, broody brick wall that took up half the dining room. He barely looked at his own food because he was too busy keeping a hawk-eye on Cherion.
